And the Award for most drastic alteration of stylistic trademarks and choice in movies goes to
Alex de la Iglesia! Seriously, if you would watch "The Oxford Murders" without knowing he directed it, you'd never ever be able to make the link with his previous and very recognizable accomplishments, like "Day of the Beasts", "La Communidad", "800 Bullets" and "Perdita Durango". This is a very slow-brooding and atmosphere-driven thriller with an absolute lack of blackly humorous situations; whereas practically all the director's other films are a combination of shocks, thrills and especially pitch-black comedy. Hey, good for him! We ought to applaud filmmakers who're courageous enough to try something entirely new and different. And it also has to be said that "The Oxford Murders" turned out to be quite an absorbing and suspenseful whodunit-thriller with a (too?) convoluted plot, intelligent albeit far-fetched red herrings, copious references towards classic cinematic landmarks as well as historical figures and engaging acting performances from a prominent cast. The script was adapted from a novel written by Guillermo Martinez and according to an acquaintance of mine who actually read it the events in the film faithfully follow those in the book. The determined American math whiz kid Martin travels to Oxford University, hoping to meet and work together with his idol; professor Arthur Seldom. The professor rapidly turns out to be an obnoxious bastard who humiliates Martin during a lecture and in front of numerous fellow students. The two are united after all when they discover the body of Martin's brutally murdered landlady together. Whoever the culprit was, he/she left behind a note with mathematical symbols on it, which indicates that the murder was only the beginning of a series. Naturally intrigued by the crime, Martin and Professor Seldom team up to solve the puzzle but, considering the complexity of the mathematic puzzle, they can't prevent the deaths of more victims. Be advised this is just an extremely simplified summary of the plot, as "The Oxford Murders" actually is a non-stop one hundred and something minutes series of incomprehensible math formulas, philosophical theories, amateur-detective speculations and verbal showdowns between an elderly wise guy and a young rookie. The story is overall compelling and never really boring, but sometimes director de la Iglesia dedicates too much time to the extended depiction of small anecdotes that eventually turn out to be fairly irrelevant to the actual plot. The re-enactment of the medieval "perfect crime" killing, for example, where a barber described 14 methods to kill his wife. It's fascinating footage, but only just a dispensable anecdote more likely to raise confusion than to clarify a point. Even though the academic and illuminate mumbo-jumbo sounds impressive and makes you feel sophisticated, you definitely don't have to be a child prodigy in order keep up with the script's pacing and red herrings. The murders are incredibly tame (though for a good reason) and there are very few moments of genuinely grueling terror, with the notable exception of Prof. Seldom's limbless friend and his lobotomy experiments. As to be expected, The Oxford area forms a terrific location to shoot an old-fashioned mystery-thriller. The arty buildings and ancient libraries look grandiose and there's even time for some British history lessons, with the celebration of Guy Fawkes Day. John Hurt is once again sublime in his, by now trusted, role of arrogant elderly smart man and it's truly a joy to behold him when giving lectures. If I had a professor like Hurt when I was in college, I definitely would have attended more classes. Elijah Wood is pretty good as well, but I'm very sorry it's still impossible not to see him as the hairy-toed Hobbit looking for a precious ring. He could easily pass for a mathematical mastermind, I guess, but an irresistible womanizer?!? Martin's two love interests Lorna and Beth are charming and honestly affecting female characters. The actresses portraying them, respectively Leonor Watling and Julie Cox, are both heavenly beautiful and very talented women.
Review of The Oxford Murders
